Maria Blanka Tompa
Accessories Design MA
Istituto Marangoni Firenze
Specialisms: Footwear / Accessories / Textiles - Print / Illustration
Location: Florence, Italy
Maria Blanka Tompa
First Name: Maria Blanka
Last Name: Tompa
Specialisms: Footwear / Accessories / Textiles - Print / Illustration
Sectors:
My Location: Florence, Italy
University / College: Istituto Marangoni Firenze
Course / Program Title: Accessories Design MA
About
I am Blanka, a print and accessories designer from Hungary, currently living in Italy. After completing my bachelor studies at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design I won a scholarship contest for a master course at Istituto Marangoni and moved to Florence to pursue my dreams in the world of Moda Italiana.
I am trying to find the intimate in every day, I enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions, walking around and noticing the uniqueness of each place I get to visit, my travels inspire me the most. I love modern art and architecture, clever solutions to design problems and creative thinking. I find beauty in simplicity and function, especially when combined.
Gaichō - united with earth - is an accessory collection inspired by the artistic language of Japanese - American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. In his work he used materials derived from nature, highlighting the uniqueness of each piece, the mark of his hand created a balance together with the untouched parts of the objects. Using contrasting elements, he was remarkable for evoking a sense of harmony in his pieces. When designing I aimed to recall the philosophy and sensibility of his work. On one hand Gaichō is just a collection of comfortable and practical accessories for the everyday - with fine sculptural details, textured and printed materials together the pieces result in a set of attractive shapes that make for a distinctive and memorable appearance. Created with elements from Japanese culture, celebrating beauty in function, comfort and simplicity. On the other hand, it is more: a message and a way of thinking about diversity, encouraging being unique or different. Wearing these pieces is a way to express sensitivity and consciousness for those who share similar values in respecting our environment, cultural roots and craftsmanship. A step towards a more sensitive future in design. Discover my diploma collection Gaichō: united with earth
Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024
Rethinking an envelope bag from the 90’s bag in which a rectangular buckle was just a decorative element. With changing the proportions, I made it the main element that defines the look of the pieces. I gave it function: it works as a handle and provides closure for the bags. All elements and the creation was made by me, through ideas, sketches, models and the realisation of the metal piece as well as the bag itself.
Inspired by jazz and the 60s, this print collection aims to bring back the atmosphere of the era. Freelance project, 2022
Under the mentorship of Claudio Marenco Mores I created a capsule collection for one of my favourite brands, Marni. To match their funky world I created bold prints and used many different and unusual pairings of colours and materials.
Pattern collection inspired by the koi fish. In Japan these creatures symbolise strength and courage, transformations and changes in life filled with possibilities. They have a powerful and energetic life force, demonstrated by their ability to swim against currents and even travel upstream. The red fish is the symbol of unique connections that are rare to find and should be cherished while they’re part of our lives. I created this collection while going through my first heartbreak that made me think of my relationships, all the different circumstances that led me to meet people who have changed me - all forms of connections that are precious and not quite replaceable once lost.
Stones is a print collection inspired by Isamu Noguchi; his artistic language and use of materials derived from nature. His hand creates a balance with the untouched parts and surfaces, shapes of the objects.
I started ‘diario di disegni’ during my erasmus year I spent in Rome. I was interested in the connection between cities and their inhabitants, what the places I used to live in formed in me, how a certain environment shapes one’s life and experiences.
My inspiration for this project came from a dear memory. I got my first pair of heels – a grey calfskin one with snakeskin details from a vintage store, one from the 1920s. It was a moment I remember to this day – wearing it felt like I have grown up to be a woman. The Roaring Twenties was a time filled with change – women started living by their own rules and fighting for ones they didn’t have just yet. It was the era of liberation, the time of reimagining what it meant to be a woman. It was inevitable for fashion to change accordingly, to become once and for all a tool for women to express themselves through. I kept the exceptionally feminim spirit of the 1920’s, refreshing the forms and using innovative materials. The “re vive” concept offers the experience of luxury without the feeling of compromise or remorse – a great way to show the sensitivity and consciousness of the ones wearing the pieces.